Blog Tour & Book Spotlight: Sam Saves the Night by Shari Simpson

SAM SAVES THE NIGHT
By: Shari Simpson
Published By: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: October 1, 2019
Series: Sleepwakes #1
Pages: 304
Genre: Paranormal
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Source: Publisher
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Thirteen-year-old Sam has no friends, but you can't really blame her. She lives her life in a state of chronic exhaustion thanks to her nightly sleepwalking jaunts, which include trips to the store, treehouse-building projects, and breaking-and-entering escapades-none of which she remembers in the morning. Her condition is taking its toll on her family (and her life), so when her mom takes her to see a wacky strip-mall sleep specialist, Sam is wary, but 100 percent in.

The night after the doc works his mojo, Sam wakes up outside her body, watching herself sleep. FREAKY! But once she gets over the panic attack, she realizes there's a whole world of detached-souls out there, called SleepWakers-cliques of kids like the Achieves, who use their sleep time to learn new things; the Numbs, who eat junk food and play video games all night long, and the OCDeeds who search for missing things and organize other people's stuff. And then there are the Mean Dreams, led by Madalynn Sucret, the nicest girl in Sam's school, who shows Sam that she can use her power to get back at a bully who's been tormenting her. Sam is intrigued-until it becomes clear that Madalynn is the real bully and the "tormentor" is just, well... sad. Now Sam is faced with uniting the various tribes of SleepWakers to fight back against Madalynn and the Mean Dreams in the most epic battle the night has ever seen.

~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~

Shari Simpson is a playwright and screenwriter who cowrote the off-Broadway hit Maybe Baby, It's You and the Disney Channel Original Movie The Swap, both with her longtime writing partner, Charlie Shahnaian. She also won the 2012 BlogHer Voice of the Year for Humor Writing. Shari lives in Hoboken, NJ, with a patient husband, two hilarious teenagers, a demonic cat, and her pug, Mila Kunis. This is her first novel.


Find Her Online:
Twitter | Goodreads

~ SEE THE FULL TOUR SCHEDULE ~
Week 1:
10/1 - Cindy's Love of Books - Review
10/2 - Portrait of a Book - Spotlight
10/3 - Moonlight Rendezvous - Review
10/4 - BookHounds YA - Excerpt

Week 2:
10/7 - Struck by Stories - Review
10/8 - Twirling Book Princess - Excerpt
10/9 - Shortcake Bibliophage - Excerpt
10/10 - Love, Stars, and Books - Review
10/11 - Dazzled by Books - Review

Week 3:
10/14 - YA Book Nerd - Review
10/15 - Life Within the Pages - Review
10/16 - Fictitious Fox - Review
10/17 - Fyrekatz Blog - Review
10/18 - The Try Everything - Excerpt

Week 4
10/21 - Novel Novice - Excerpt
10/22 - Nerdophiles - Review
10/23 - Southern Girl Bookaholic - Review
10/24 - Two Points of Interest - Review
10/25 - Little Red Reads - Review

Week 5
10/28 - Pop the Butterfly Reads - Review
10/29 - Savings in Seconds - Review
10/30 - Wonder Struck - Review
10/31 - Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - Review


~ DON'T MISS THIS GIVEAWAY! ~
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Review: The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver

THE SPINDLERS
By: Lauren Oliver
Published By: HarperCollins
Release Date: Oct. 2, 2012
Series: None
Pages: 256
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Middle Grades
Source: Publisher
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: One night when Liza went to bed, Patrick was her chubby, stubby, candy-grubbing and pancake-loving younger brother, who irritated and amused her both, and the next morning, when she woke up, he was not. In fact, he was quite, quite different.

When Liza's brother, Patrick, changes overnight, Liza knows exactly what has happened: The spindlers have gotten to him and stolen his soul.

She knows, too, that she is the only one who can save him.

To rescue Patrick, Liza must go Below, armed with little more than her wits and a broom. There, she uncovers a vast world populated with talking rats, music-loving moles, greedy troglods, and overexcitable nids . . . as well as terrible dangers. But she will face her greatest challenge at the spindlers' nests, where she encounters the evil queen and must pass a series of deadly tests--or else her soul, too, will remain Below forever.

From "New York Times" best-selling author Lauren Oliver comes a bewitching story about the reaches of loyalty, the meaning of love, and the enduring power of hope.



I love Lauren Oliver's books, so even though this is MG rather than YA I wanted to give it a try. And I am glad I did. The Spindlers proves once again what a way Lauren Oliver has with words; the story is both imaginative and beautiful.

Liza has always been fascinated with stories of otherworldly creatures, stories told to her by her babysitter Anna. So when she wakes up one morning to discover that her brother Patrick is not really her brother Patrick anymore, she knows exactly what happened - the spindlers have stolen his soul. Knowing that her parents will be no help, Liza decides to go after Patrick's soul herself, which means going Below. Liza thinks she knows some of what she will find, but the world Below is even more vast and filled with more fantastical creatures than she could have imagined. Fortunately, she finds a friendly tour guide, and together with Mirabella she begins the journey to the land of the spindlers. But even if she makes it to the spindlers' land, can she really defeat the evil queen and rescue Patrick's soul?

Luaren Oliver packs so many good things into such a short book. Liza is a great protagonist and very authentic - she cares about her brother Patrick but has issues with her parents, she is afraid but willing to face her fears when necessary, and she is clever even though she makes mistakes. She also believes in the magic of stories, and her going Below really was like her stepping into a storybook. I enjoyed reading about her journey - there were plenty of tricks and turns, but there were also lighthearted moments, especially with Mirabella. In some ways aspects of The Spindlers had echos of other classic books, but Lauren's imaginative storytelling turned this book into a work that could stand on its own.

What really makes this book come to life is the writing style and vivid descriptions. I could clearly see the world Below as Liza experienced it; the descriptions turned fantasy into reality. I also enjoyed seeing so many inventive magical creatures in this book, especially the nocturni. With all that was going on, there was certainly never a dull moment in Liza's quest.

The Spindlers is a book thoroughly infused with magic and beauty; it is an entertaining read while also providing a good message. Readers of all ages will find something to enjoy in this story!

Review: The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

THE UNWANTEDS
By: Lisa McMann
Published By: Aladdin
Release Date: Aug. 30, 2011
Series:
Pages: 390
Genre: Dystopian / Fantasy
Reading Level: Middle Grades
Source: BEA
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths.

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret—behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation.

But it's a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.



I rarely read middle grade novels, but for a book in which creative, artistic children are sent to their deaths, I knew I had to make an exception. Although I have not read the Wake trilogy, I enjoyed Cryer's Cross and was excited to read another book by Lisa McMann.

Alex has known for three years that he would be declared Unwanted. Even so, it does not make the pronouncement and his ride to the Death Farm any easier. But when he arrives at the Great Lake of Boiling Oil, he discovers something he never imagined: the land of Artime, a land of feeling, creativity, and magic. Alex, along with his new friends, quickly adapts to this magical land, working with professors on their artistic talents and learning how to turn these talents into magic. But Alex is not perfectly happy, even in Artime. For one thing, his friends are all learning magic while he is told that he must wait. For another, he misses his twin Aaron, who was declared a Wanted, and he longs to bring Aaron to Artime. And then there is the constant worry of Mr. Today, the mage who created Artime: What will happen if the people of Quill discover their existence?

The Unwanteds is certainly unique in conception. It combines elements of both fantasy and dystopian novels, juxtaposing Alex's point of view in Artime with Aaron's life in Quill. I enjoyed following both brothers (even if Aaron was frustrating sometimes), and the dreariness of life in Quill only made life in Artime seem that much more exciting. One of my favorite things about this book was the different incantations the kids in Artime learned; each spell was based on one of the arts, so simple things like painting and dancing could become deadly weapons if combined with the right words or intent. With all of the magic, the unusual animals, and the preparation in case of battle, there was never a dull moment in this book. The surprises and intrigue last until the end of the book and kept me turning pages to see what happens.

Another thing that I loved about this book was the writing style. McMann's writing is both clear and descriptive, easy and pleasing to read. Once again the characters and setting really come alive, and I felt as though I was in Artime. Because of this, aside from some of the animal names, I often forgot I was reading a middle grade book. I do feel that a few explanations were missing and others glossed over; however, I think younger readers wouldn't have this same issue.

Pitched as "Hunger Games meets Harry Potter," fans of both series can find something to enjoy in this book. The Unwanteds offers a magical escape and one that can appeal to both younger and older readers. I will be looking forward to reading Lisa McMann's next book!